Samba Your Way Through Winter

Did anyone else overindulge in food and drink over the holidays? All I did was eat, drink and Samba. I was in Brazil where it is not unusual for women to have nice full derrieres. Somehow it looks better on them then it does on me! I always say, don’t let go of the vision of yourself. By this I mean the vision of where you were or where you want to be. You have to decide what works for you.

In Brazil, it’s summer. I think it’s easier to be motivated when you don’t have to deal with the cold. It’s tempting when it’s freezing outside to stay inside and become sedentary. Remember, you’ve got to move! You have to expend energy to have energy. In Brazil, it’s Samba. Newton’s law of physics says that a body in motion stays in motion. It takes consistent exercise to stay in shape, especially as we age. So dance like a Brazilian.

I recently took Samba lessons to get ready for my trip to Brazil. If you can’t get to Samba, gyms are a great place to get started. Everyone is in the same place with the same goal, which is motivating. I integrate weight and cardio training with Pilates and yoga. In the winter, I still take long walks and when I’m in the city, I forgo cabs as much as possible. I carve out time for myself to exercise and as a result have energy and a positive outlook on life.

Exercise alone unfortunately is not enough to keep me in shape. When it’s cold like it is now, I feel like hibernating and eating osso bucco. Eating right coupled with physical activities can make all the difference. I try to stick to my Mediterranean diet, rich in seafood, vegetables and fruits. I eat a rainbow, which means that I eat foods of many colors.

Tip: Remember, it’s the wine or the bread, but not both. You decide? I personally choose the wine!